5 Easy Ways to Cook Peas
April 14, 2017

Today’s edition of 100 Days of Happy Cooks is all about how to cook peas—the small but mighty veggie guaranteed to put a spring in your step this season.

Brace yourself. Peas are officially back in season, and they’re blowing away the non-seasonal veggie competition in all the categories (flavor, nutrition, and versatility). Plus, they’re making us smile big time. To prove it, we’ve put together a list of five quick and easy pea recipes that’ll have you blending, smashing, sautéing, and praising these sweet green gems in no time.

1. Purée Them… Pea Soup With Mint

Some claim soup season only runs through the winter months. We beg to differ.

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

1 Medium Onion, chopped

4 Cups Low Sodium Broth (veggie or chicken), divided in half

6 Cups Shelled Fresh Peas (or thawed frozen peas)

1/2 Cup Mint Leaves

Salt and Pepper

3 Tablespoons Water

1/4 Cup Sour Cream

Instructions:

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, 7-8 minutes.

Add 2 cups broth, stir, and bring to a boil.

Add peas and simmer until tender, 8-10 minutes for fresh or 2-3 minutes for frozen.

The combination of asparagus and peas practically screams spring, so our chefs couldn’t resist tucking them into this gnocchi. Fortunately, the tarragon cream sauce is just light enough to really let the gorgeous green vegetables shine.

4. Blanch Them… Spring Pea Buddha Bowl

As you probably know by now, we love all the happy vibes that come from mindfully cooking and munching on Buddha bowls. And this is no exception. To blanch your peas, simply add to boiling water. Let them cook for about 1 1/2 minutes before immediately transferring them to an ice bath.